Emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, raise the stakes for onilne data exchanges and further obfuscate the risks to users. As it is, few people who exchange their data online understand modern encryption and how to ensure that a provider is securing their data; an even smaller fraction of people are able to comprehend the potential for future decryption technologies. Quantum computing poses one such threat that could dwarf all modern encryption efforts. Because of the esoteric nature of encryption and the ubiquity of digital data in all facets of modern society, the government must help minimize the risk to users by ensuring that companies are keeping up with security standards to protect against current and future threats.

Lindsay Rand

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Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland
University of Maryland School of Public Policy
4113 Van Munching Hall College Park, MD 20742
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